Locking Seal for Data Ports and Associated Methods

Abstract

A jack port locking device includes a base having side longitudinal slots. A protrusion extends upwardly into the slot. The base's top is compressible between a released and a compressed position. A ramp slopes upward from the front end. A stop higher than the ramp is positioned rearward of the ramp. A front portion of the device in the compressed position is dimensioned for insertion into a port so that the ramp is retained within the port when the device is in the released position. When the device is retained within the port, the protrusion prevents sufficient compression to remove the device from the port, and the stop is positioned to prevent access into the port. Preferably, the device is removable only by destroying the device's integrity. The device may have an electronically pollable sensor for detecting the device's presence in a port over a network.

1 . A device for securing a jack or a data port against access comprising:
 a base having a top and two sides defining an inner space, each side having an upper edge meeting a side edge of the top;   a ramped element projecting upward from the base top, the ramped element having a first height at a front end joined to the base top adjacent a front edge thereof and a second height at a rear end rearward of the front end, the second height greater than the first height; and   a stop element atop the base top having a third height greater than the second height, the stop element positioned rearward of and in spaced relation from the ramped element; wherein:   at least a portion of the ramped element is downwardly movable to a compressed position and is biased to a released position, a front portion of the device in the compressed position dimensioned for insertion into a target port to a sufficient distance that the ramped element rear end is insertable into the target port, the rear end of the ramped element being retained within the port when the device is in the released position.   
     
     
         2 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises a bracing element extending laterally through the inner space in bridging relation to the two sides for providing stability to the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base further comprises an identification indicium applied thereto in a position rearward of the stop element. 
     
     
         4 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ramped element back end has a rear face substantially perpendicular to the base top. 
     
     
         5 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the ramped element back end is in spaced relation from the base top and is compressible theretoward with the top in the compressed position. 
     
     
         6 . The device recited in  claim 1 , wherein the stop element comprises a substantially rectangular element positioned substantially perpendicular to the base top and dimensioned to substantially cover the port when the device is retained therein. 
     
     
         7 . The device recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor operatively associated with the base, the sensor comprising means for being polled electronically over a network in signal communication with the port, the polling for determining a presence of the device in the port. 
     
     
         8 . A method for securing a jack or a data port against access comprising inserting a front portion of a device, at least a portion of the device in a compressed position, into a target port, the device having a ramped element thereatop, to a sufficient distance that the ramped element is retained within the port when device is in a released position, the device restrained from further compression when retained within the port, the device having a stop element thereatop positioned rearward of and in spaced relation from the ramped element for preventing access into the port from a position external the port, the device removable from the port only by destroying an integrity thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method recited in  claim 8 , wherein the base further comprises an indicium applied thereto, the indicium unique to a particular device, and further comprising the step of ascertaining a tampering with the device by checking that a device having an appropriate indicium is positioned within the port. 
     
     
         10 . The method recited in  claim 8 , wherein:
 the device comprises a base having a top and two sides, each side having an upper edge meeting a side edge of the top, a base inner space defined by the top and two sides;   the ramped element is positioned atop the base top, the ramped element having a first height at a front end joined to the base top adjacent a front edge thereof and a second height rearward of the front edge, the second height greater than the first height; and   the stop element is positioned atop the base top and has a third height greater than the second height.   
     
     
         11 . The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base further comprises a bracing element extending laterally through the inner space in bridging relation to the two sides for providing stability to the device. 
     
     
         12 . The method recited in  claim 10 , wherein the stop element comprises a substantially rectangular element positioned substantially perpendicular to the base top and dimensioned to substantially cover the port when the device is retained therein. 
     
     
         13 . The method recited in  claim 8 , further comprising the step of electronically polling a sensor operatively associated with the device for determining a presence of the device in the port. 
     
     
         14 . The method recited in  claim 13 , wherein the polling step comprises polling the sensor over a network in signal communication with the port.